As AI chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) become better at mimicking human connection, more and more users are falling down extremely weird rabbit holes. Case in point, new research published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans reveals the startling depths some users are plumbing in their relationships with AI chatbots. Many participants told the researchers they were in love with their chatbot, which often involved roleplaying marriage, sex, homeownership, and even pregnancies. However, the rate at which people have thrown themselves into human-chatbot relationships — romantic or otherwise — is seeing a historic rise. More on AI: An Astonishing Proportion of High Schoolers Have Had a “Romantic Relationship” With an AI, Research Finds